Hey guys, one of my mates follows the NFL, he goes for the Pittsburgh Steelers, anyways we're going down to Crown Casino in Melbourne on the 6th of Feb to watch the whole coverage of the Superbowl, I'm new to the whole NFL thing, can anyone explain the rules of how its played basically?

Google NFL rules,u can also watch some previous games online at nfl.com.It uses a rugby style ball,but its nothing like soccer or the original football.Its definitly not a flowing game It is based on downs a down is a single play the teams run,one on offence the other on defence.The clock runs Once play starts until a incomplete pass someone carrying the ball goes out of bounds,or there is a time out. There are 4 15 min quarters with a halftime break of 20 min or so after the end of the second quarter.Thats so the coaches can praise there team or yell at them and think of a different gameplan.Just way too many rules to list. Enjoy the game especially the commercials,The super bowl sports the best.Plus tell your friend the steelers got tebowed:)

At a very basic level: the offensive team has 4 downs to move the ball 10 yards. If you accomplish this, you get 4 more downs. If you come to your 4th down and feel you can't move the ball enough to get a new set of downs, you can punt the ball to the opposing team or attempt a field goal (if you are in range, etc.). A touchdown is worth 6 points, and after a touchdown you can attempt an extra point by kicking the ball through the goal posts or you can attempt to run or pass the ball into the end zone again for two additional points, though you only get one attempt either way you go.

Now, there are all sorts of penalties, etc., to learn and keep up with/watch for, but you'll learn those as you watch. For example, certain players cannot move once they are "set" until the center has "hiked" the ball to the quarterback (if those people move, you'll see an "off sides" or a "false start" penalty, e.g.). You'll probably see some "holding" and "pass interference" calls as well.

Again, this is a 50,000 ft view of some of the most basic rules/objectives. Fun game to watch if the teams are well balanced!

(And yeah, I know I'm a little late to this thread, I only noticed it because of the new member thread necro. I try to check out all posts by new members, since 90% of the time those turn out to be spam, or a prelude to spam!)

At a very basic level: the offensive team has 4 downs to move the ball 10 yards. If you accomplish this, you get 4 more downs. If you come to your 4th down and feel you can't move the ball enough to get a new set of downs, you can punt the ball to the opposing team or attempt a field goal (if you are in range, etc.). A touchdown is worth 6 points, and after a touchdown you can attempt an extra point by kicking the ball through the goal posts or you can attempt to run or pass the ball into the end zone again for two additional points, though you only get one attempt either way you go.

Now, there are all sorts of penalties, etc., to learn and keep up with/watch for, but you'll learn those as you watch. For example, certain players cannot move once they are "set" until the center has "hiked" the ball to the quarterback (if those people move, you'll see an "off sides" or a "false start" penalty, e.g.). You'll probably see some "holding" and "pass interference" calls as well.

Again, this is a 50,000 ft view of some of the most basic rules/objectives. Fun game to watch if the teams are well balanced!

You forgot to mention that a field goal is worth 3 points. Also, that the ball (when in play) can not touch the ground. It must either be carried or thrown. If the ball carrier is down (1 knee, two hands, or any other part of the body on the ground), the ball is dead. The ball is loose before it hits the ground on a pass, or if the ball carrier loses control prior to going down, and then the ball is live until someone picks it up and goes down.

That covers 95% of the game. Lots of other weird stuff can happen, but chances are they will explain it on TV.

Hey guys, one of my mates follows the NFL, he goes for the Pittsburgh Steelers, anyways we're going down to Crown Casino in Melbourne on the 6th of Feb to watch the whole coverage of the Superbowl, I'm new to the whole NFL thing, can anyone explain the rules of how its played basically?

Thanks much.

As a resident of Pittsburgh, let me commend your friend on his excellent choice of football team.

Madonna looks okay at 53, but the music wasn't very inspiring. That video stage covering more than half of the field was pretty awesome, though. I wonder how much time and money it takes to build and test something like that.

Madonna looks okay at 53, but the music wasn't very inspiring. That video stage covering more than half of the field was pretty awesome, though. I wonder how much time and money it takes to build and test something like that.

I wonder what is the point of the stupid lip-sync halftime shows. Do you think the NFL pays Madonna to perform? Or does Madonna pay the NFL for the exposure? I just can't imagine that a high percentage of football fans are Madonna's target audience. The whole spectacle just boggles my mind.

How awesome was that, New York Giants where at like the 10 yard line with 15 points to 17 for New England Patriots, and they left a massive gap where one of the NYG players basically just walked through to touch down, in like the last minute on the clock.

Then right at the very end the new england patriots got the ball right near the score zone, crazy ****.

Unfortunately I missed the half time show as we went out to get some Maccas for lunch haha.

Apparently was a similar match to the 2008 Superbowl, same teams, same last minute win.

How awesome was that, New York Giants where at like the 10 yard line with 15 points to 17 for New England Patriots, and they left a massive gap where one of the NYG players basically just walked through to touch down, in like the last minute on the clock.

Then right at the very end the new england patriots got the ball right near the score zone, crazy ****

Unfortunately I missed the half time show as we went out to get some Maccas for lunch haha.

Apparently was a similar match to the 2008 Superbowl, same teams, same last minute win.

Glad you enjoyed the game... My friend and I were saying that NE was going to let the touchdown in, and if the Giants would actually score.. Watching Bradshaw try not to get a touchdown was hilarious.